LEXINGTON, Va. - The Washington and Lee University baseball team's five-run first inning proved to be the deciding factor in their 5-3 win over Southern Virginia University on Tuesday afternoon at Cap'n Dick Smith Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a 1-2-3 inning from the Knights (2-5) in the first frame, the Generals' (5-2) offense came alive, scoring five runs on five hits to jump out to an early lead. Nathan DeWitte and Campbell Charneco kicked off the inning with back-to-back singles. Nick Lagges drove in DeWitte with another single to right field before Andrew Thornton plated Charneco with a single down the right-field line.
- Mike Carpenter cleared the bases with a two-RBI triple down the right-field line, bringing home Lagges and Thornton. He would come around to score a few pitches later on a wild pitch, giving the Blue and White a 5-0 lead.
- Zack Geertsen led off the top of the second inning by reaching first base on a hit-by-pitch. Benji Horsley put two runners on for Southern Virginia after singling through the right side before Garrett Stauffer plated both runners with a double to left field, cutting the Generals' lead to three.
- The next six innings featured seven combined hits from both teams with no runs until the eighth inning, when the Knights plated one run on two hits. Stockton Hall led off the inning with a single before Mitch Smith doubled to left-center, putting both runners in scoring position. Robert Stempin pinch-hit for Mason Jones and drove in Hall with a ground out to Lagges, cutting the lead to two.
- Evan Blair relieved Raleigh Craft in the top of the ninth, shutting the door on a potential comeback from the Knights as he struck out two and forced a ground out to secure the Generals' fifth win of the season.
W&L GAME NOTES
- The Blue and White move to 5-2 on the season, picking up their second straight win over the Knights and improve to 26-12 in the all-time series.
- Camdyn Teague, Nick Lagges, and Mike Carpenter paced the offense with a 2-for-4 (.500) effort at the plate, while Carpenter drove in a game-high two runs on his triple in the first inning. DeWitte, Landen Rucker, Campbell Charneco, and Andrew Thornton each recorded a hit in today's game.
- The Generals struck out only once while drawing three walks while seven different batters recorded at least one hit. W&L's pitching staff sat down ten batters this afternoon while allowing just three walks.
- Nathan DeWitte (1-0) picked up his first win of the season on a designated staff day, pitching two innings and allowing two runs (two earned) on two hits while striking out three batters. Andrew Flood and Cooper Charneco combined for four innings, allowing two hits and recording four strikeouts.
- Raleigh Craft, Bob Burr, and Evan Blair pitched the final three innings for W&L, allowing three hits and one run, while Blair earned his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning, striking out two
SOUTHERN VIRGINIA GAME NOTES
- The Knights fall to 2-5 on the season, dropping their fifth straight game.
- Zack Geertsen (1-1) was credited with the loss after allowing five runs (five earned) on nine hits in seven innings of work.
- Benji Horsley and Garrett Stauffer each recorded two hits for the Knights, with Stauffer driving in a pair of runs. Stockton Hall, Zack Geertsen, and Mitch Smith each added one hit for SVU.
UP NEXT
- The Generals complete their three game home stand on Saturday as they welcome No. 5 Lynchburg to Cap'n Dick Smith Field for an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Doubleheader. The games are slated for Noon and 3:30 p.m.
Nestled in the mountains of Virginia, Washington and Lee University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Founded in 1749, W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and a top-ranked liberal arts university. With over 500 student-athletes in 24 varsity sports, the Generals have celebrated over 265 conference championships. Learn more about the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com or on social media at @WLUGenerals.
